# Space Simulator vs Space Rocket Exploration

The clearest difference is price: Space Rocket Exploration at Free against Space Simulator's $4.99. Space Rocket Exploration also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 5 months). Space Simulator's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 3.7) and ads (none vs shown). On in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Space Rocket Exploration is free to download; Space Simulator costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Space Simulator holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Space Simulator has 4.3K ratings behind it against 313, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of Space Simulator's written reviews are positive against 69% of Space Rocket Exploration's.

Space Simulator ships an update every 5 months, Space Rocket Exploration monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Space Simulator | Space Rocket Exploration |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.7 (4.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-simulator/id516849108/reviews)** | [3.7 (313 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-rocket-exploration/id1503436748/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **4.3K** | 313 |
| Positive reviews | **83.5% of reviews** | 69.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 1.5 GB | 216 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 12.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Tai Chen](https://appshunter.io/developer/1824184739) | [Genc Sadiku](https://appshunter.io/developer/1226282762) |

## What reviewers say

### Space Simulator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-simulator/id516849108)

Experience ultra-realistic 3D space flight with real physics in a full-scale Solar System. Play historic NASA missions or explore planets and moons with functional 3D cockpits and interactive orbit planning.

**Highlights:** Full-scale Solar System simulation, Historic NASA mission replays, Functional 3D cockpits, Interactive orbit planner, Real physics engine, Ultra-realistic rendering

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Space Rocket Exploration

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-rocket-exploration/id1503436748)

Build and launch custom rockets to explore planets and moons in our solar system. Construct a space station with unlimited potential and deploy various satellites. Experience realistic space physics and astonishing graphics.

**Highlights:** Build custom rockets, Explore solar system planets and moons, Construct unlimited space stations, Launch and control satellites, Realistic space physics simulation, Astonishing graphics

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Smooth gameplay
- 🌟 Great graphics
- 👍 Easy to use
- 💯 Awesome game

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 🔍 Lack of tutorials
- 🔌 Ads interrupting gameplay
- 🔧 Difficult to build space stations

**Reported bugs**

- Rockets exploding on launch
- Satellites randomly exploding in orbit
- Inability to remove space station parts
- Orbit lines not showing correctly

**Requested features**

- Add landing on planets
- Improve space station building
- Introduce more rocket parts
- Add astronaut and EVA functionality
- Implement interplanetary travel


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Space Simulator free?

Space Simulator costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Space Rocket Exploration free?

Space Rocket Exploration is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Space Simulator or Space Rocket Exploration?

Space Simulator is rated higher. Space Simulator averages 4.7 out of 5 from 4.3K ratings, while Space Rocket Exploration averages 3.7 from 313 ratings.

### Do Space Simulator or Space Rocket Exploration have ads?

Space Rocket Exploration shows ads; Space Simulator does not.

### Which is updated more often, Space Simulator or Space Rocket Exploration?

Space Simulator ships an update every 5 months, and Space Rocket Exploration monthly. Most recently, Space Simulator was updated on September 23, 2026 and Space Rocket Exploration on September 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*